£8m scheme will tackle flood risk

THAMES Water has announced £8m worth of investment to upgrade the town’s sewer system in preparation for two major housing projects.

With thousands of houses due to be constructed over the coming years plans are underway to put in place the infrastructure to prevent large scale flooding during heavy rainfall.

Details on the schemes are set to be made available later this week at two consultation events open to the public.

The first project will focus on the Wichelstowe development, which will eventually see 4,500 homes built.

Thames Water will look to attach a new sewer pipe to the existing Barfield Road pumping station.

This will aim to increase the capacity of the sewer network to deal with increased waste water from new developments and during heavy rainfall.

The project team will be on hand later today between 3pm and 7pm at the Even Community Centre. Residents are invited along to look at the plans for the scheme as well as find out about any disruption which will be caused by the works.

Another major housing development at Commonhead is also set to be catered for. Almost 900 homes will be built so Thames Water will be constructing a new sewer and pumping station.

Details on the sewage plans can be viewed by members of the public on Friday between 3pm and 7pm at the Lawn Community Centre.

Thames Water manager Mark Taylor said: “Swindon is growing and our climate is changing so we need to be prepared.

“Sewer flooding is a horrible experience and it’s important we reduce the risk of it happening.

“If people want to know more about our latest plans and what it will mean for them we encourage them to come to the information days where we'll be glad to talk to them and hear their views."

The two projects come on the back of two other schemes in the town. In Haydon End, a scheme to build two large tanks along Queen Elizabeth Drive is nearing completion.

Thames Water say this will reduce flood risk in the area and expand the system’s capacity ahead of the Tadpole Farm Development.

A major upgrade to the Cheney Manor works has also recently been completed. However, the company say that the scale of disruption seen at those works will not be replicated in the latest projects.

A spokeswoman said: “All the work at Cheney Manor is now completed and the sewer system has now been upgraded. We thank residents and drivers for their patience during this time.”

Comments

I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.

I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.BWB

I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.

Score: 2

John~R
10:41am Tue 12 Aug 14

£8 million is nothing compared to the multi-billion Thames Tideway project in London which Thames Water expects us in Swindon to pay for through our water bills even though we neither contribute to the cause of the problem it is meant to solve or get any benefit from it if it works.

£8 million is nothing compared to the multi-billion Thames Tideway project in London which Thames Water expects us in Swindon to pay for through our water bills even though we neither contribute to the cause of the problem it is meant to solve or get any benefit from it if it works.John~R

£8 million is nothing compared to the multi-billion Thames Tideway project in London which Thames Water expects us in Swindon to pay for through our water bills even though we neither contribute to the cause of the problem it is meant to solve or get any benefit from it if it works.

Score: 5

Vintage Trouble
1:54pm Tue 12 Aug 14

I'd appreciate it if you could do something about the awful smell the pumping station omits too. Completely out of order having those sort of odours so close to a primary school!

I'd appreciate it if you could do something about the awful smell the pumping station omits too. Completely out of order having those sort of odours so close to a primary school!Vintage Trouble

I'd appreciate it if you could do something about the awful smell the pumping station omits too. Completely out of order having those sort of odours so close to a primary school!

Score: 2

Phantom Poster
11:58pm Tue 12 Aug 14

BWB wrote…

I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.

So you have no water?

[quote][p][bold]BWB[/bold] wrote:
I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.[/p][/quote]So you have no water?Phantom Poster

BWB wrote…

I hope shareholders foot the bill.
NOT us house holders. Cant afford water rates as it is.

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